Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
2 Faculty of Medicine, Al-Mamora hospital, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Neurotoxicity is a major cause of neurodegenerative disorders and it is essential to consider drugs of abuse as a possible cause. Drug abuse is one of the most serious problems that worry the Egyptian government, as it deals with youth within the age of productivity. The aim of the study was to describe the neurotoxic effects of acute and chronic use of drugs of abuse in patients admitted to Alexandria poison unit (APU) and Al-Mamora hospital addiction treatment unit (MH).
Method: To evaluate them regarding age, sex, education, residency, marital status, cause, family history and past history. To study the presentation, pattern of abuse and relapse and identify the risk factors, to assess facilities to prevent further morbidity and mortality. A prospective study was carried out on all poisoned patients admitted to APU with neurotoxicological manifestations and all drug abusers admitted to MH within 6 months. Patients were assessed for personal data, full history of medications, mental state examination, neurological examination, and investigations.
Results: Of the total of 242 patients admitted to both hospitals, it was concluded that drug abuse involved both sexes and all ages. Most patients were single, educated yet unemployed or skilled workers. Most were smokers and relapse occurred several times, so it is a difficult disease to cure that needs community awareness and cooperation of ministries to minimize this problem.
Conclusion: Preventive and curative measures in a specially designed health care program should be carried with a more reasoned approach to abuse.
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